We’ve all had experiences in our work history where the environment just wasn’t right. Maybe it was too stiff and formal. Maybe it was hard to find motivation or inspiration. Maybe fear of doing wrong or struggling to feel appreciated overshadowed our work.
No one wants a negative business culture or atmosphere bogging down the workflow. No employee looks forward to entering a climate of tension, apathy, or negativity. The last thing you want is to go into work dreading how the energy of the office will make you feel.
How do you turn this around? How do you make things better? The answer isn’t difficult, expensive, or exhausting. It’s simple—recognize your employees. Employee recognition programs and techniques are some of the best ways to improve your business’ culture and atmosphere.
Encourage Teamwork
Recognizing employees can encourage teamwork, which is a wonderful way to change the vibe of your business. A lot of workplace issues lessen in intensity when people feel like they’re on the same team, rather than working as individuals.
When people feel like they’re part of a team, they may place more value on their work and feel inspired to do a better job. They may feel more likely to work towards team goals and celebrate team wins. Most importantly, they’ll have more opportunity to bond amongst themselves and enjoy coming to work because of these friendships.
It takes more than a group project here and there to make a lasting change. So how do you transform your culture into one that fosters, encourages, and celebrates teamwork? How do you convince people to get on board?
A good place to start is with how you communicate with your employees. Yes, pointing out the success of individuals is important. But have you ever praised a team collectively when they made a breakthrough or improved their communication? Have you ever asked for team feedback on what you could be doing better?
Another idea is to ask people to compliment each other. At your next meeting, something as simple as going around the room and asking people to give kudos to someone who impressed them reinforces a team mentality among your employees.
Reduce Work Fatigue
How do you make it so that people don’t view their work as a daily grind? You don’t want people dragging their feet as they come into work for the day. Employee recognition ideas can help reduce work fatigue and make people look forward to going to work.
If every day is a little different, there’s a good chance that things won’t feel monotonous and boring to your employees. Consider using some employee recognition tactics to give people a reason to look forward to coming in.
How often are you rewarding your employees with praise? Are you mixing things up enough to separate each day from the last? Including employee recognition strategies often, without making them feel repetitive or commonplace, is a surefire way to give people a positive reason to come into work.
Energize The Workplace
Do your employees feel energized when they’re at work? Employee recognition strategies undoubtedly encourage them to bring a positive attitude to the job.
A great way to infuse energy into your business is by making people feel like their work is valued and important. If you felt like your work was recognized and highly appreciated by your superiors, wouldn’t you feel more invigorated?
Motivating your employees through recognition can be pretty simple! Compliments that focus on how your employees each played important roles in achieving essential company goals can make people feel like they’re more than cogs in a machine. Highlight how each person’s strengths have been pivotal in improving your business.
Lighten The Mood
Is your business’ energy stagnant? Would you describe the workplace vibe as being serious or lackluster? How much fun do your employees have on any given day?
Recognizing your employees can and should be fun! You can introduce fun activities, plan exciting day trips or retreats, and encourage people to build friendships with one another.
Maybe one day you spring for fancy coffee, and another you organize a raffle or 5k. Maybe you think a little bigger and rent a boat for the day, or attend a company retreat.
Give your employees opportunities to appreciate each other! Organize company dinners that give them time to bond over non-work subjects. Make office birthdays a little more special so everyone feels celebrated. When people have healthy friendships within their job, they’re more likely to bring happy, elevated energy into the business.
Room To Fail
When people feel like they’re measured only by their success and not by their hard work, they may feel less inclined to take risks and initiative. If your business gives employees room to fail, they’re likely to bring fresh and exciting ideas into work with them!
Consider celebrating milestones and leadership skills, not victories. Basing recognition on success alone may create an environment that discourages creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing your employees at every stage of their work can undoubtedly improve the culture and atmosphere of your business.
If people only get compliments when their hard work pays off, they’ll begin to feel like you only care about the bottom line. The creative process, the courage required to take a leap of faith, and the ability to own up to mistakes are all part of what a good employee can bring to the table. When you recognize these components in your employees, you give them room to fail.
Make People Feel Recognized
The bottom line is, people will feel better and perform better when they know they’re appreciated. When that happens, the culture and atmosphere of your business changes. It’s as simple as that.
Revisiting your approach to employee recognition is absolutely necessary if you want to improve your business’ culture and atmosphere. If you encourage teamwork, keep monotony at bay, bring in some fun and allow people to take risks, you’re sure to make some positive changes.
Interesting Related Article: “How You Can Keep Employees Motivated To Follow Safety Guidelines”